I have been go go go lately, which hasn’t left much kitchen time. The same breakfast smoothie and lunch sandwich aren’t really interesting talk around here. Well, I did find a smoothie shop in our new neighborhood, so I may actually tell you about that soon.

My kitchen is about half unpacked, so I am able to partly function in there, and it is my main focus to get organized first. I am looking forward to cooking again.

The best thing we have eaten recently, when I finally did get in the kitchen? Individual six layer dips.

We ate these three times last week – as a dip for lunch, over crunchy lettuce as a salad, in a quinoa bowl topped with crushed tortilla chips. These flavors are so good, and don’t get old.

Using the fire roasted green chiles I brought back from Santa Fe last spring, this layered lunch has a southwest spin. The sweet corn mixes perfectly with the sweet-spicy noocho cheese, while the crisp lettuce and avocado provide a cool and creamy finish.

All together? A perfect warm weather lunch that is both light and filling.

Now I want to visit Santa Fe again…

I’m posting at Fork You! No, Fork You! while Christina is off getting married – see the recipe here – southwest six layer dip.

eta: two things – sorry about the formatting. Also, I am guessing Christina is offline for a bit, so all comments are going into moderation. Thanks for reading!

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Summertime is the time for fun gatherings – from having the girls over for a fancy Happy Hour at Home, to casual grilling in the back yard with friends and family.

Our old house was the place to be when the temperatures would rise – some friends would say they’re spending the whole weekend at our place. Someone would text or call, if we’d say “come on over, bring your swimsuit” we’d joke that they drove over so fast they had already been on the way! Now that we are settling in to a new house, we no longer have the “instant party” pool, but we can throw a summer bash just the same.

grilling! I always like to come up with interesting and unusual dishes to go along with some of the mainstream grilling items. My grilled romaine is definitely one of those – simply split the bunches open a bit, drizzle with balsamic and olive oil, and place on the grill – indirect heat. We place ours on the very top ‘shelf’ of the grill.

It may not look great, but grilled romaine is always hugely popular – part wilty, part crunchy, and completely flavorful. We never make enough, and there are never leftovers. Add it to your burger, eat as a salad. My boss-Doc once walked around my deck with a large platter fresh off the grill, and within minutes came back empty handed.

More grilling recipes:

grilled potatoes – grilled potato salad

grilled fajita tacos

grilled jalapeno poppers

grilled polenta & portobello burger

beverages! Another important thing to stock up on. We have had parties large enough to order a keg (which my Dad and Jason have been known to enjoy the following day – making a valiant effort to finish it off), but generally we stick bottles of beer on ice. Soda, water, juice also, and if it’s that kind of party, mixers and spirits.

desserts! Last but definitely not least, summertime has some of the best fresh fruit that easily turn into sweets, or a simple fruit salad. One of my favorite summertime fruits? Strawberries!

strawberry basil fruit rolls

strawberry balsamic ice cream

Preparing as much in advance helps things run smoothly – prep all grill items, make lists to organize, always buy more ice than you think you need. Planning ahead and making lists help keep stress low – no matter the theme, reason for event or how many guests you have, the most important thing to remember is to have fun!

Cheers!

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As of this weekend, we have only one house! We are all moved out of the old place, and can relax a little bit. Then I start unpacking here…

In the short time we have been in our new house, we have met a few of the neighbors, all very nice. There are two other dachshunds on our street, one right next door! Basil is thrilled. After we are settled in, I am going to look up Oregon Dachshund Rescue again, and look into Dachshund #4 for the street – a sister for Basil.

This weekend, out of nowhere, I had a cake craving.

Since we are seeing awesome weather in the 80′s here, I was thinking something light. Sunny. Fresh.

Citrus!

We were headed to a patio party, and I brought these along for dessert. These were very easy to make, using that box of cake and bottle of soda method, and while I wouldn’t really call that a recipe, I will tell you what I did.

orange creamsicle cupcakes

gluten, dairy and egg free, vegan

makes 12 cupcakes 

1 package vanilla cake mix (vegan + gluten free)
1 tablespoon vanilla paste (or extract)
pulp from 1 orange (reserve juice for frosting)
10 ounces orange soda

Combine cake mix and soda, stirring until just combined. Fold in vanilla and orange pulp. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake at 325 for 20 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.

citrus cream cheese frosting

gluten, dairy and egg free, vegan

8 ounces cream cheese (Tofutti)
2 – 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
juice from 1 orange
2 droppers full Orange NuStevia

Beat cream cheese, orange juice and NuStevia until softened, gradually adding powdered sugar until desired consistency is reached. Transfer to piping bag or frost as normal.

Yum. These are bright and light, sweet and citrusy. Perfect for sunny summer.

If you’ve been reading spabettie since at least last summer, you know we love to grill. Jason always says he would grill year round – if we had a covered porch, he would be out there in the snow.

Right now, the weather is perfect for grilling! We have been enjoying temps in the 70′s and 80′s, which are to continue through this weekend. Not even completely settled in our new house, the grill is set up and this was the first recipe I grilled!

The grilled part of this recipe is my new favorite snack  - a date stuffed with rosemary. Grilled. Sticky charred sweetness infused with fresh rosemary is simple and complex all at once. We ate plenty of these as is, warm straight off the grill. I saved enough for these bars, adding that grilled flavor to a sweet and savory treat.

I have entered this recipe into the Dole California Cook Off, for a chance to travel to California and compete at The Grove. There is a contest to submit a recipe for a possible $10,000 prize, with two runners up prizes of $1000! There is also a sweepstakes to enter – a chance to travel to LA and judge the contest! 

I’ll be here, sitting in the sunshine, stuffing rosemary into dates. See my recipe here.

Compensation was provided by Dole via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of spabettie and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Dole.

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Another entry about something other than food?

Yeah, but I could not let the passing of my favorite Beastie go by without saying something, paying tribute in some way. Besides, I haven’t had time to cook lately.

I love music of all kinds, and one of my all time favorites has always been Beastie Boys. Their musical talent has shaped decades of inspiration for me, and has been the soundtrack to many events. It was the source of one massive project I took on while living at Sunriver Resort. I have attended more of their concerts than I can count. Easy to say Beastie Boys has created the most significant music, the most monumental for me. The most epic.

Their music always gives me energy, lifts me up, makes things positive. Whenever Jason asks what I’d like to listen to (road trip, whatever…), I undoubtedly answer Beastie Boys. Every time.

The first time I heard the word Namaste? Beastie Boys, Bodhisattva Vow live.

Who inspired my art history reports about Toulouse-Lautrec? Beastie Boys, The Move.

Which concert is the only one I’d run down the hill to elbow my way to the front row? Beastie Boys at the stunning Gorge Amphitheater, for Sasquatch 2007 and Endfest 2002 (where I also sprained my wrist dancing while yelling the lyrics to Paul Revere).

…and if you really still want an entry about food? A year ago this month I made the MCA Smoothie for my favorite Vegan Beastie.

                                                                                                                                                          source

Good times gone and you missed them
What’s gone wrong in your system
Things they bounce just like a Spaulding
What’d you think did you miss your calling
It’s so free this kind of feeling
It’s like life it’s so appealing
When you got so much to say
It’s called gratitude

Rest In Peace Adam Yauch. You are greatly missed, from White Castle to The Nile.

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Olé!

All I can think of right now is how much I would like to be here:

enjoying this:

to properly celebrate Cinco de Mayo. I don’t need a whole month like we did in December, just transport me there for the weekend? A long weekend? Dropping me back to reality mid week, just in time to coordinate the movers?

No? Okay, I’ll just be enjoying one of these then:

jalapeno margarita

with some of these:

seven layer tacos

and obviously, large quantities of this:

mango habanero guacamole

If we are going to just keep the party going, here are some other ways to do so:

homemade tamales!

grilled fajita tacos

spicy stuffed sweet peppers

For breakfast, lunch or dinner?

huevos a la Mexicana enchilada

I wish you all a fantastic weekend, whether it includes Cinco de Mayo festivities or not!

Are you celebrating?

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I have only shared something like this one other time, with varying degrees of response. I don’t care, those who get it, get it.

Those who don’t are not reading this sentence, so they won’t know that I don’t care if this is made up, that I did not verify accuracy via snopes, that I simply want to share a heartwarming story.

I liked it, I hope you do too:

A NYC Taxi driver wrote:

I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.. ‘Just a minute’, answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90′s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940′s movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.

There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard
box filled with photos and glassware.

‘Would you carry my bag out to the car?’ she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.

She kept thanking me for my kindness. ‘It’s nothing’, I told her… ‘I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.’

‘Oh, you’re such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, ‘Could you drive through downtown?’

‘It’s not the shortest way,’ I answered quickly…

‘Oh, I don’t mind,’ she said. ‘I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a hospice.’

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. ‘I don’t have any family left,’ she continued in a soft voice…’ The doctor says I don’t have very long.’ I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

‘What route would you like me to take?’ I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she’d ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, ‘I’m tired.Let’s go now’.

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

‘How much do I owe you?’ she asked, reaching into her purse.

‘Nothing,’ I said.

‘You have to make a living,’ she answered.

‘There are other passengers,’ I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

‘You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,’ she said. ‘Thank you.’

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn’t pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don’t think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We’re conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

But great moments often catch us unaware – beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

________________________

… like my Grandpa Z always said – ‘you should always Stop and Smell the Roses…’

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I will miss some things about the house we are leaving – the vast outdoor space, the remote quiet, the beautiful gardens.

Basil has already spotted a squirrel in our new yard, so he is quite happy.

The skies are just as blue at the new house, and the natural light more abundant!

We made many great memories here over the years, and we look forward to making new ones in our new home!

Happy Sunday.

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Did you guys know April is National Grilled Cheese Month? I have been taking full advantage, while still trying to keep things relatively healthy.

Relative to what, I don’t know. I’m pretty sure italicizing it blurrs that line even more.

This is one of my new favorite sandwiches. I have had three this week. I am confident in saying it’s healthy – I stack it full of vegetables and use a fantastic sunflower seed bread. I feel great after eating this, and it tastes amazing.

Each sandwich has one half an avocado, one half of a red bell pepper, and one large roma tomato. Toasting the bread gives it that crunch I like, as does the iceberg.

This is a fresh and flavorful alternative to the sometimes heavy grilled cheese – crisp and cool while also warm and comforting. A perfect pairing in my opinion.

garden fresh grilled cheese

dairy and gluten free, vegan

serves one

2 slices gluten free bread
2-3 slices non dairy mozzarella (enough to cover one slice bread)
1-2 tablespoons homemade thousand island dressing
1/2 red bell pepper, sliced thin
1/2 avocado, sliced thin
1 large roma tomato, sliced
2-3 leaves iceberg lettuce

Toast bread, place on baking sheet (preheat oven to 350). Spread one slice with 1 tablespoon thousand island dressing, arrange cheese slices on the other slice. Arrange bell pepper slices on one bread, tomato slices on the other. Warm in oven for 7-9 minutes, until cheese is melted. Remove from oven, drizzle another tablespoon of thousand island (optional) onto the melted cheese. Top with avocado slices and lettuce, finishing with the other slice of bread. Enjoy!

Please, make one of these this weekend.

Celebrating the wonder that is grilled cheese:

jalapeno popper grilled cheese

red pepper grilled cheese

salsa cheddar grilled cheese

chipotle, pineapple and brie sandwich

Have a great weekend!

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I loved hosting Food ‘n Flix this month, and was happy to share one of my most favorite movies with several who had not seen it, and those who love it like I do. We had some delicious participation this month, great inspirations from the movie Big Night!

First up, Tina from Life in the Slow Lane at Squirrel Head Manor:

Tina shares a delicious Prima Seafood and Rice Medley – if you have watched the movie, you will understand that Tina made this specifically to include “seafood you can see” which is a nod to one of the many funny scenes and a fresh and light inspiration!

Following next is Eliot of Eliot’s Eats:

Risotto Primavera. Eliot’s colorful and fresh adaptation looks authentic and comforting – just as it should be. Eliot enjoyed the movie and its many great quotes, like Primo saying “To eat good food is to be close to God.”

Indeed, Primo, indeed.

Next in line is Heather of Girlichef and founder of Food ‘n Flix:

Heather made the Risotto Bianco (…e rosso o verde) in the colors of the Italian flag, as made in the movie! I have always wanted to make this one, so I’m happy to have a recipe to follow. Heather’s recipe looks and sounds delicious.

Our next recipe is from Sarah, of Well Dined:

Sarah’s creation is also inspired by the Italian flag, a Tricolore Lasagna. By using artichoke hearts, sun dried tomatoes and cream cheese, Sarah has combined some of my favorite ingredients into a great looking dish!

Then we have dinner and dessert from Culinary Adventures with Camilla:

Camilla made a timpano! Complete with fennel pollen in both the dough and the meatballs, this sounds like a flavorful dish!

Watching the movie, Camilla was waiting for the dessert that never appeared (I was too, Camilla). She made the smart move of adding a dessert, a flavorful and pretty affogato:

Deb from Kahakai Kitchen is up next:

Deb’s contribution is Pappardelle & Mushrooms – I want to watch the movie again while enjoying this dish! Deb, you had me at fresh cremini mushroom sauce…

…and rounding out the event was my timpano:

We really had fun making that one, and I have a few ideas for different flavors, so you will be seeing the timpano again! Thank you to everyone who participated – you all made my first month of hosting a fun one!

To participate or follow along again next month, check out Food ‘n Flix, and visit Tina at Life in the Slow Lane at Squirrel Head Manor, hosting in May with the movie Sideways!

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